Finally Healthy, Rose Looks Forward to Upcoming Season

Aug 27, 2010

Written by Student Assistant Nicole Grazioli '12

Sophomore Jake Rose,
a Marin, Calif. native, was anxious to play his first year of
soccer at Santa Clara University last year. Despite an injury that
had him sitting out part of the season, the defender started six
games as a true freshman. Healthy now, Rose looks forward to a
successful season – both personally and as a team. Rose took
a break from his summer training to talk with Santaclarabroncos.com
about his summer break, freshman season, and his goals for next
year.

SCU:What have you been doing this
summer?

JR: When I haven't been working with a trainer,
I've been hanging out with friends a lot. I went to Cape Cod
for a couple weeks with my family and spent a week in Lake Tahoe
with friends. The weather was great and it was so
relaxing. I also ran a children's soccer camp in Marin.
As far as upcoming plans, it pretty much consists of soccer
training.

SCU:From your perspective, how
is college soccer different from high school soccer? Was it an easy
transition for you?

JR: College soccer is definitely a huge
transition from high school soccer. Everyone is so much
stronger, bigger and faster. Players are all really talented
and skillful too. It was hard at first adjusting to this
change, but all other players on the SCU team really helped all of
us freshmen feel more comfortable.

SCU: You had to sit out a majority of the season due to an
injury, how did you deal with that?

JR: It was tough to have an injury my first
year at SCU. Besides being painful physically, it was painful
emotionally. During games and practices, I wanted to be on
the field so bad, but I knew that my body couldn't handle it.
I worked hard on getting better, and was able to play again, which
was such a great feeling. My teammates, coaches and trainers
really helped me through the process though which I greatly
appreciate.

SCU:Was there anyone on the team
you really looked up to last season?

JR: Everyone on the team was great in
showing the freshman the ropes of SCU soccer. Since I'm a
defender, I really looked up to the defenders for guidance. I
really looked up to Mykell
Bates because he is a great soccer player and demonstrates
great leadership qualities.

SCU:Have you always been a
defender?

JR: I actually had wanted to play attack
my whole life, starting from when I was younger. My mind
changed in high school when in one game my coach randomly said that
he wanted to try me at defense. I was a little skeptical, but
ended up doing really well - ever since that I've been a defender
and I love it!

SCU:Any favorite memories on or off the
field?

JR: My favorite memory would have to be
when we played Saint Mary's (away) and we were losing 1-0 with four
minutes left in regulation. I came up from defense and
crossed the ball in front of the goal, where Erik
Hurtado scored, tying the game! The whole team was so
excited and it was a great feeling.

SCU:What are your goals for next
season?

JR: One main goal for me this season is
to stay healthy! On defense, I want to work on my
communication skills with the other defenders and goalie, so we can
have less goals against, less shots on goal and more
shut-outs. One goal I have for the team is to win as many
games as we can, having a great season.

SCU:Your older brother grew up involved
in water sports like water polo and swimming. What led you to play
land sports?

JR: When I was younger, I was very active and
played every sport you could think of. My favorite sport was
baseball – I had wanted to become a professional baseball
player. At the beginning of my freshmen year of high school,
however, I had shoulder surgery and the doctor told me it wouldn't
be a good idea for me to play baseball anymore. After that, I
started to completely focus on soccer. To become better, I
worked on my footwork more and would go to different fields playing
in various pick-up games.

SCU: If you could pick any professional soccer team to
play on, what team would you want to play for?
Why?

JR: I would love to play soccer
professionally abroad, specifically Europe. If I had to pick
a team right now, it would probably be Read Madrid because I love
their style of play.

The Broncos men's soccer team will kick off their 2010
schedule on September 4 vs. Wisconsin in Irvine, Calif.